Read Online The Carson Springs Trilogy: Stranger in Paradise, Taste of Honey, and Wish Come True by Eileen Goudge - Free Book Online Page A

possessions. Laura had given her a lift to the house so she could call for a tow truck. But it turned out the repairs would’ve been more than the old heap was worth, and besides, Maude was nearly penniless. Laura had invited her to stay for a few days, days that had stretched into months. Meanwhile, Maude, not one to sit idle, had taken over the cooking and laundry and all but the heaviest chores. Now she was as integral a part of the household as Hector.
    “Elroy called while you were out,” she said.
    “Your son?” Laura tried to keep the disdain from her voice. The last time Elroy had phoned his mother was on her birthday, more than a month and a half ago.
    Using both hands, Maude carefully lowered her mug to the table. “He wants me to move back in withVerna and him.”
    “What?” Laura sat back, stunned.
    “I know, I know.” Maude shook her head as if she didn’t quite believe it, either. “It was the last thing I expected. You could’ve knocked me over with a feather.”
    “After the way they treated you? It’s crazy!” And she only knew the half of it. Maude was far too loyal to paint her son and daughter-in-law as the monsters Laura was certain they were.
    Maude sighed. “It doesn’t make much sense, does it?”
    “Elroy must feel guilty. I suppose this is his way of getting rid of it.”
    “I didn’t think of it that way, but you could be right.” Maude fell silent, lost in thought.
    Laura began to worry. “That doesn’t mean you have to do what he wants.”
    “Well, now, maybe it wasn’t all that bad. I was a burden in a lot of ways. It’s hard enough making ends meet without some old lady dragging you down. And Elroy has his father’s quick temper.”
    There she went, making excuses for him again. “You’re not dragging me down,” Laura said. “Just the opposite.”
    “Bless your heart.” Maude patted her hand, looking on the verge of tears. “Why, if I thought I was a burden to you I’d…I’d put myself down like an old dog.”
    “What did you tell him?”
    “That I’d think about it.” As if sensing her distress their little tabby leaped into Maude’s lap. She stroked it tenderly while Napoleon, jealous of the attention Josie was getting, mewed pathetically at her feet—a big, fierce-looking tom with one torn ear and the disposition of a two-year-old. “I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. He said he was sorry for the way he treated me. He…he sounded as if he meant it.”
    “What about what you want?”
    Maude smiled, as if the answer should have been obvious. “This past year has been the happiest of my life.”
    “Why didn’t you tell that to Elroy?”
    “He’s my only child.” Maude shook her head slowly, eyes bright with unshed tears. She was too kind to say it : You don’t know what it’s like to be a mother.
    Laura winced inwardly nonetheless.
    At that precise moment a piercing scream tore through the house, sending goose bumps swarming up the back of her neck. It was coming from the bedroom down the hall.
    It was the same dream as always. A man chasing her down a dark street. She couldn’t see his face, only the gun in his hand. If he caught her, he’d kill her. There was only one way out: She’d have to fly. She spread her arms, flapping with all her might, and felt herself lift up, toes hovering just above the pavement…but that was as high as she could go. And now the man was nearly upon her…
    “Finch.”
    With a thump she spiraled up into consciousness, opening her eyes to a shadowy figure even more frightening than the one in her dream. Because this one was real. “Whassat?” She bolted upright, rubbing eyes coated in gray fuzz. Her throat felt thick and dry.
    Firm hands gripped her shoulders, steadying her. “It’s okay, honey. It’s just me…Laura.”
    The girl began to shiver. It was cold, as cold as winter in New York. Then she remembered…the wedding…and falling asleep in the back of an SUV. She had no memory of coming here,